Air cooling device



Nov. 12, 1935. I E. A. V N SEGGERN 2,020,923

7 AIR COOLING DEVICE Filed my 15,

1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a 3nventor fraiattorney E. A. VON SEGGERN 2,020,923

AIR COOLING DEVICE Filed May 15, 1933,

INVENTOR fTeWfSTAI/o 556659:

ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims. My invention relates to air cooling devices, and

. the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide an air cooling device of the air expansion type which is particularly dependable under the most adverse operating conditions, such as excessive vibrationand extreme variation in temperature as well as lack of attention or skilled operation;

Second, to provide an aircooling device which is particularly suited for conditioning the air in enclosed vehicles Third, to provide a device of this means which eliminates the formation of ice or frost upon the expanding of the air, ficulty of sticking valves, etc.-;

Fourth, to provide an air cooling device wherein the temperature of the air is not reduced below freezing temperature, yet is so arranged that the compressor displacement and heat radiator may be relatively small as compared to the expander, thus providing an air cooling device which. is particularly compact of construction;

Fifth, to provide an air cooling device which incorporates a particularly simple and novel means of controlling the cooling capacity of the device without requiring a change in the speed of operation, thus enabling the device to be driven at a constant speed while the capacity is varied according to requirements;

Sixth, to provide on the whole a novelly constructed air cooling device which is particularly simple and economical of manufacture, efficient and the attendant dif- -in its action, and which will not readily deteriorate, or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination,

' and arrangement of parts and portions Pas will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this application, in which: v

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of my air cooling device with parts and portions in elevation, and with the heat radiator shown substantially diagrammatically; Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view thror'rh 33 of Fig. 1, showing particularly the capacity control mechanism; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view through 4-4 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a similar sectional view through 5-5 of Fig. 3.

S milar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

Compressor cylinder block I, expander cylinder block 2, bearings 3, crank shaft 4, connecting rods 5, compressor pistons 6, connectingrods 1, expander cylinders 8, intake manifold 9, intake valves Ill, cap ll, pipe l2, radiator l3, pipe H, exhaust manifold l5, exhaust valves l6, rocker arms l1, lift rods l8 and I9, exhaust valve control cams 20, levers 2|, intake control cams 22, levers 23, 1o slide rod 24, link 25, crank 26, control shaft 27, relief air intake manifold 29, and check valve 30, constitute the principal parts and portions of my air cooling device.

A compressor cylinder block I and the expander 15 cylinder block 2'are provided. These cylinder blocks may be cast integral and in tandem. The compressor cylinder block I comprises a crank case portion la and a pair of cylinders lb extending outwardly therefrom. The cylinders lb may 20 be arranged as a single unit, as shown in Fig. 1. The expander cylinder block 2 comprises a corresponding crank case portion 2a and a pair of' spaced apart outwardly extending cylinders 2b.

The cylinder blocks I and 2 support by means of their crank case portion I a and 2a a plurality of bearings 3 arranged in axial alinement which support a crank shaft 4 adapted to be driven by any suitable means. Opposite the compressor cylinder block I the crank shaft 4 is provided with two throws 411. These throws are joined by means of connecting rods 5 to a pair of compressor pistons 6 mounted in the cylinder formed in the compressor cylinder block I.

Opposite each of the cylinders in the expander cylinder block 2 the crank shaft is provided with a throw to which is joined by means of a con necting rod 1 to an expander piston 8 mounted in the corresponding cylinders 21). l

The upper ends of the expander cylinder Zb are connected by an intake manifold 9 which bridges the space therebetween. The intake manifold 9 is provided with a pair of passages 9a which intersect the upperside of the intake manifold in adjacent relation and extends each way therefrom to their respective cylinders 2b. At their adjacent extremities the intake passages 9a are provided with'valve seats which are controlled by intake valves III. The valves iii are 5) enclosed in a cap ll connected by a pipe H with a radiator l3 at its outlet end. The inlet of the radiator I3 is connected by a pipe M with the exhaust portion of the compressor. Said compressor is provided with conventional intake and 2 exhaust portions, not shown, of any suitable de- The cylinder block 2 is provided over each cyl-- protrude beyond the cylinder and are connected through rocker arms IT to lift rods i8 which extend downwardly and into the crank case portion 211; of the cylinder block 2.

The intakevalves in are provided with downwardly extending stems lift rods i9. These rods likewise extend into the crank case. I

The several lift rods are disposed between the two'throws 4b of the crank shaft 4. Below each lift rod i8 associated with the exhaust valve I5 is an exhaust valvecontrol cam 20. Each cam 2|] operates a cam follower or roller 2ia supported from a lever 2i which in turn .is journaled at one end by means of a bracket 2d extending from the side wall of the crank case 2a, as shown in Fig. 3. The lower end of each lift rod l8 engages the corresponding lever 2| so as to be onerated by the corresponding cam 20.

Between the two exhaust valve control cams 20 there is mounted a pair of intake control cams22. Arranged over each intake control cam. 22 is a lever 23 which is provided with a cam roller 23a thereunder adapted to engage the corresponding intake control cam 22. The two levers 23 extend laterally and rearwardly from the crank shaft in the same direction as the levers 2i, and aresecured to a slide rod 24 arranged with its axis parallel to that of the crank shaft 4. The slide rod 24 is journaled in the bracket bearing 2d rearwardly of the connection between these brackets and the levers 2|. At one end the slide rod 24 is joined through a link 25 to a crank 26 which is operated by a controlling shaft 21 protruding through the crank case as shown best in Figs. 3 and 5.

The two levers 23' are engaged by the lower ends of the push rods or lift rods i9 associated with the intake valve it. These levers by action of the slide rod 24 are adapted to be shifted, and their cam rollers shifted therewithaxially across the faces of the intake control cams 22. Each of the intake control cams 22 is provided with a raised portion 22a.- The leading or lifting wall designated 22b of the raised portion 22a extends axially with respect to the cam while the trailing side thereof designated 22c curves arcuately so that the Width of the raised portion increases towards one extremity of the cam. With this arrangement operation of the slide rod 24 so as to move the levers 23 across the faces of the cam 22 increases or decreases the interval during which the intake valves are open, thus controlling the pressure of the air admitted from the radiator i3 and pipe i2 into the expander cylinders. The two intake control cams operate their respective intake valves in similar manner and are preferably arranged so that the valves at all timeslift when the corresponding piston 8 reaches the up-' per extremity of its stroke, the intake valves being closed at various intervals during the intake stroke of the piston 8.

Each cylinder 2b is provided in a side wall with a ring of air relief ports 2e which are adapted to be uncovered when the piston I has moved approximately half of its intake stroke. Surrounding each cylinder 2b so as to cover the ports 2e is a relief air intake manifold 29 m the form Ilia which are joined to of an annulus. At some portion in its periphery the intake manifold 29 is provided with an intake opening 29a controlled by a check valve 30. Operation of my air cooling device is as follows:

Air is compressed by the compressor and delivered 5 totheradiator i3 where it is cooled to approximately normal temperature; Each of the intake valves Iii opens when its corresponding piston 8 reaches its upper position allowing a small quantity of the compressed air to enter the expanding \0 cylinder. The corresponding piston 8 moves downwardly and expands the air within the cylinder until the pressure is reduced approximate- .ly to atmospheric pressure, this condition obtaining when the piston is approximately oppo- 15 site the air relief ports 2c. The reduction in pressure causes a reduction in temperature until at the time the ports 2e are uncovered, the temperature is considerably below freezing. Continued movement of the piston draws in additional air which is at normal pressure and temperature through the ports 22:, manifold 29, and check valve 30. The additional air melts whatever snow or ice has formed, and raises the temperature of the initially expanded air as well as 25 increases the quantity of the resulting body of cooled air. On the subsequent upward movement of the piston the exhaust valve i6 opens so that the air may be discharged through the exhaust manifold l5 associated therewith. The cams 20 30 are so arranged that the corresponding exhaust valves are open during the entire upward strokes of the piston.

By shifting the levers 22 in one direction or the other, the duration of time that the intake 35 valves can remain open is varied, and therefore the quantity of compressed cooled air admitted to the expansion chamber is varied. The smaller the quantity of compressed air introduced, the greater its expansion and the lower its temperature; 40 hence, the cooling capacity varies inversely with the quantity of compressed air introduced, maximum cooling action being obtained when the quantity of compressed air is smallest and minimum cooling action being obtained when the 45 quantity of compressed air is largest. This variation in cooling capacity is independent of the rate of operation of the compressor and expander.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination, and arrangement 50 of parts and portions, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination, and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination, and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an air cooling device where there is an 50 air compressor, and means for cooling air discharged from said compressor, the combination with said air compressor and cooling means of an expander arranged to receive air from said cooling means, and an instrumentality for intro- 6 ducing air at normal pressure and temperature into said expander during the expanding action thereof whereby the initially received compressed and cooled air absorbs heat from said subsequently introduced air and the resulting temperature is 70 maintained above freezing.

2. In an air cooling device wherein there is mechanism for compressing and cooling air whereby its pressure is'iabove atmospheric and its temperature is normal, the combination with 7 aoaosss 3 said compressing and cooling mechanism of means for expanding the air whereby the, temperature tends to fall below a predetermined critical point, and an arrangement for introducing air at normal pressure and temperature intosaid expanded air whereby the resulting temperature .is maintained above said critical point.

3. In an air cooling device wherein there is mechanism for compressing the cooling air whereby its pressure is above atmospheric and its temperature is normal, the combination. with said compressing and cooling mechanism of an expander including a cylinder and piston therefor arranged to receive metered quantities of compressed air from said mechanism and expand the same until the temperature tends to fall below freezing, and air relief means associated with said'cylinder for introducing air therein at normal pressure and temperature to counteract excessive cooling of the air undergoing expansion.

4. In an 'air cooling device wherein there is mechanism for compressing and cooling air whereby its pressure; is above atmospheric and its temperature is normal, the combination with said compressing and cooling mechanism of an expander including a cylinder and piston there- 'for arranged to receive metered quantities of compressed air from said mechanism and expand the same until the temperature tends to fall below freezing, and air relief means associated with said cylinder for introducing air therein at normal pressure and temperature to counteract ex cessive cooling of the air undergoing expansion, and means for regulating the quantity of compressed air metered into said cylinder and consequently the resulting temperature.

5. In an air cooling device wherein there is mechanism for compressing and cooling air whereby its pressure is above atmospheric and its temperature isnormal, the combination with said compressing and cooling mechanism of an expander including, a cylinder, a piston, an intake valve connected with said mechanism, and variable means for controlling the open period of said intake valve, and air relief means associated with said cylinder for introducing air therein at normal pressure and temperature to counteract excessive cooling of the air undergoing expansion.

6. In an air cooling device wherein there is mechanism for compressing and cooling. air whereby its pressure is above atmospheric and its temperature is normal, the combination with said compressing and cooling mechanism of an expander including a cylinder and piston therefor arranged to receive metered quantities of compressed air from said mechanism and expand the same until the temperature tends to fall below freezing, said cylinder having air relief ports in its side walls adapted to be uncovered by said piston during its expanding stroke, and

one way valve means for controlling said air relief ports and connecting the same with a source of air at normal temperature and pressure whereby said air relief ports admit such air to said cylinder for raising the temperature ofthe resulting air mixture abovefreezing.

'7. In an air cooling device wherein there is mechanism for compressing and cooling air whereby its pressure is above atmospheric and its temperature is normal, the combination with said compressing and cooling mechanism of an expander includinga cylinder and piston therefor arranged to receive metered quantities of compressed air from said mechanism and expand the same until the temperature tends to fall below freezing, said cylinder having air relief ports in its side walls adapted to be uncovered by said piston during its expanding stroke, and one way valve means for controlling said air relief 5 ports and connecting the same with a source of air at normal temperature and pressure whereby said air relief ports admit such air to said cylinder for raising the temperature of the resulting air mixture above freezing, and means for regulating the quantity of compressed air metered. into said cylinder and consequently the resulting temperature.

8. In an air cooling device wherein there is mechanism for compressing and cooling air whereby its pressure is above atmospheric and its temperature is normal, the combination with said compressing and cooling mechanism of an expander including, a cylinder, a piston, an intake valve connected with said mechanism, and variable means for controlling the open period of said intake valve, said cylinder having airrelief portsin its side walls adapted to be uncovered by said pistonduring its expanding stroke, and one way valve means for controlling said air relief ports andconnecting the same with a source of air at normal temperature and pressure whereby said air relief p'orts admit such air to said cylinder for raising the temperature of the resulting air mixture above freezing; I

9. In an air cooling device wherein there is an air compressor, the. combination with said air compressor, of an air expander connected there-,- with, both including pistons and cylinders and a common crank shaft therefor, an air cooling raa5 diator interposed between said air compressor and expander, and means associated with said air' expander for introducing air at normal temperature and pressure therein to mix with air from said radiator whereby the added air is cooled. 40

10. In an air cooling device wherein there is an air compressor, the combination with said air compressor, of an expander having a displace-. ment greater than said compressor and connected so as to receive air therefrom common means for operating said compressor and expander, an air cooling radiator interposed between said air compressor and expander, means for introducing air into said expander at normal temperature and pressure upon expanding of the compressed air therein to approximately normal pressure whereby further action of said expander mixes the expanded air and introduced air and causes a resulting temperature above that of the expanded air and below that of the introduced air.

11. In an air cooling device wherein there is an air compressor, the combination with said air compressor of an expander having a displacement greater than said compressor and connected so as to receive air therefrom common means for operating said compressor and expander, an air cooling radiator interposed between said air compressor and expander, means for introducing air into said expander at normal temperature and pressure upon expanding of the compressed air thereinto approximately normal pressure whereby further action of .said expander mixes the ex? ing the 'openperiods of said'intake valves and thereby control'the quantity of compressed air introduced and resulting temperature.

12. In an air cooling device wherein there is a multi=oyiindered air compressor, the combine.-

'tion with said multi -cylindered air compressor of and consequently the quantity of compressed air admitted to said expander, and means associated with the cylinders of said expander and operative upon partial action of said expander to connect said cylinders with a source of air at atmospheric temperature and pressure, whereby continued action of said expander introduces such air therein to counteract excessive cooling of the expandin: air.

ERNEST A. VON SEGGERN. 1Q 

